Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1887-07-09
THE LARGEST CELEBRATION
EVER HELD In THE
VALLEY.
Il GRAND PARADE, PRE- THY
TRIBES DISPLAY AND
BRILLIANT FIRE
FORKS.
Personal and OTHER POINTS


The familiar, chronic complaint,
that has go often greeted the visitor
in our midst, and which has been so
customary that we all believed it to
some extent, to-wit "There is no
enterprise and push in Martinsburg,
and every body must go away to en-
joy holidays" must now forever end.
A new era of activity, enterprise and
patriotism dawned on Martinsburg,
as the sun peeped over the eastern
mountains on the morning of last
Monday-July 4th. The great, old
American eagle, with wings spread
wide and head proudly erect, loudly
screamed over the city, soaring ma
jestically higher and higher, until
his form was lost in the deep blue Of
his eyrie home. No wonder the
watchful Bird of Freedom screamed.
The Fourth of July celebration was
a magnificent success. For weeks
past, the committees who had the
program in charge, worked like so
many beavers not one avenue was
left closed, that might have decreas-
ed the crowd, or imperiled success.
Correspondence, suggestions, and a
thousand smaller items ,vexed Chair
man Stuart Walker and Secretary
j. f. Roberts, until their heads ach-
ed and their tasks grew mountain
high; but their ardor never abated,
and the committeeman closed up all
gaps and worked willingly and en-
ergetically.
THE HOUR OF DWIGHT
Sunday, had scarcely been tolled off
when the "fz" and "bang' of large
and small fire-crackers, and the 'toot'
of tin horns, aroused many citizens
from peaceful slumbers, and they at
once knew that thus early the cele-
bration had commenced. When the
daylight broke gray over the eastern
hills, the town presented q pretty
and enthusiastic appearance. Many
strangers, who had put up at the ho-
tells during the night, were perambu-
lating the streets, taking in all the
sights. By 8 o'clock, a. M, the town
was moderately crowded and every
few minutes buggies and wagon, all
filled with people, pulled into town.
The streets were networks of arches
and festoons, and thousands of flags
and business streamers were floating
in the breezes. At the intersection
of Queen and Burke streets, a large
well-trimmed arch spanned Queen
street, and at the Valley House, an
other was erected. At the railroad
in Strinesville much prettier arch
formed an object of beauty overhead.
The Baltimore San, with characters
tic enterprise, had large flag swung
above Queen street, at Burdett's,
bearing its greetings, also six smaller
ones, trimmed with satin ribbon, in
an iron holder. Every entrance to
the town had an appropriate stream
er of flags and
WELCOME GREETINGS
attached thereto. The crowd grew
in numbers as the day grew older in
hours. From North and South, East
and West, came the hearty tillers of
the fertile lands of Berkeley and adj
joining counties. The farmer left
his golden grain in the shock the
blacksmith united his leather apron
strings, and let the fire die out In the
old forge the mechanic quit the
dusty. dingy shop and the carpenter
laid down his keen-edged tools-all
were resolved to encourage the efforts
of the committees to give old Mar
tinsburg a grand send off. The day
was pleasant, considering the warm